Freedom Tower rises from ground zero

When the landmark is complete, it will max out at 102 floors to a symbolic 1,776 feet.

Neil Vigdor/Hearst Newspapers

Published 8:00 am, Friday, August 12, 2011

NEW YORK -- Timmy Vassilakis is not just another hard hat.

And in a city where success is so often measured vertically, this project is personal.

Vassilakis was a lowly apprentice for a heating and air-conditioning company on the 106th floor of the south tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, assigned to fetch coffee for his co-workers on an idyllic morning much like Thursday.

He got out.

But when so many others vowed never to return to this chasm in Lower Manhattan, Vassilakis couldn't seem to stay away, installing pipes in what will eventually be the tallest building in the nation -- the Freedom Tower.

"It's taken way too long," said Vassilakis, 31, a construction worker with Jamaica, N.Y.-based Cardoza Plumbing Corp. "I think it should have been rebuilt a long time ago."

Steel work on the city's most talked about skyscraper, which is located northwest of the footprints of the old World Trade Center, currently tops out at the 78th floor, with concrete reaching 70 stories.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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A cameraman documents the footprints of the World Trade Center towers from the 39th floor of the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

A cameraman documents the footprints of the World Trade Center towers from the 39th floor of the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a

The Freedom Tower's 20-ton cornerstone, a 9-foot-by-4-foot granite stone, is unviled and lifted into its resting spot at the World Trade Center site in New York on Sunday, July, 4, 2004. The groundbreaking ceremony officially began construction on the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, designed as a twisting glass and steel tower that evokes the Statue of Liberty, including a 276-foot spire resembling her torch.

The Freedom Tower's 20-ton cornerstone, a 9-foot-by-4-foot granite stone, is unviled and lifted into its resting spot at the World Trade Center site in New York on Sunday, July, 4, 2004. The groundbreaking

This Nov. 9, 2010 file photo shows The Freedom Tower, One World Trade Center, top center.

This Nov. 9, 2010 file photo shows The Freedom Tower, One World Trade Center, top center.

Photo: AP

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This March 15, 2011 photo shows the Freedom Tower, right, rising above the World Trade Center site in New York. Rebirth has been slow in coming to ground zero, but with six months remaining until the first portions of the national 9/11 memorial are scheduled to open to the public, the work to turn a mountain of rubble into one of the worldís great urban centers is thundering forward and beginning to produce some of the inspiring monuments designers envisioned nearly a decade ago.

This March 15, 2011 photo shows the Freedom Tower, right, rising above the World Trade Center site in New York. Rebirth has been slow in coming to ground zero, but with six months remaining until the first

The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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Dano Cammarota of New York City uses a parasol while walking past the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Dano Cammarota of New York City uses a parasol while walking past the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th

As seen from St. Paul's church, the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

As seen from St. Paul's church, the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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A view looking north toward the Empire State Building from the 70th floor of the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11. At left is the Hudson River.

A view looking north toward the Empire State Building from the 70th floor of the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before

The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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People view construction at the World Trade Center site where the Freedom Tower is being built September 10, 2008 in New York City. Tomorrow is the seventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

People view construction at the World Trade Center site where the Freedom Tower is being built September 10, 2008 in New York City. Tomorrow is the seventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist

The footprint of the south tower of the World Trade Center with the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The footprint of the south tower of the World Trade Center with the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th

Manuel Hernandez of Innovative Stone in Hauppauge, N.Y., power washes a 20-ton hunk of granite Tuesday June 29, 2004, that will be used as the cornerstone that will mark the foundation of the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower at the site of the former World Trade Center. Construction on the skyscraper will officially begin Sunday July 4, 2004 after a ceremony featuring the reading of the Declaration of Independence by the son of a Port Authority police officer killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

Manuel Hernandez of Innovative Stone in Hauppauge, N.Y., power washes a 20-ton hunk of granite Tuesday June 29, 2004, that will be used as the cornerstone that will mark the foundation of the 1,776-foot Freedom

Chris Powers of KC Fabrications, Inc., of Gardiner, N.Y., the company constructing the memorials at the Freedom Tower, looks skyward toward the tower in New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, that is under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Chris Powers of KC Fabrications, Inc., of Gardiner, N.Y., the company constructing the memorials at the Freedom Tower, looks skyward toward the tower in New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, that is under

Architect David Childs speaks next to a model of the redesigned Freedom Tower during a news conference in New York to unveil the new plans for the World Trade Center site, Wednesday, June 29, 2005. New York and New Jersey's governors, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and developer Larry Silverstein, embroiled for months in a bitter battle over control of buildings and money at the site, clapped and shook hands at a ceremonial start on the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower being built to replace the destroyed trade center.

Architect David Childs speaks next to a model of the redesigned Freedom Tower during a news conference in New York to unveil the new plans for the World Trade Center site, Wednesday, June 29, 2005. New York and

Construction at the site of the 2001 World Trade Center disaster with the first planted beams of the southern edge of the Freedom Tower visible in this file photo from Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, in New York.

Construction at the site of the 2001 World Trade Center disaster with the first planted beams of the southern edge of the Freedom Tower visible in this file photo from Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007, in New York.

Photo: Louis Lanzano, AP

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Dignitaries (from left) architect David Childs congratulates New York Gov. George Pataki as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, second from right, looks up and architect Daniel Liebskind watches, far right, after the first steel columns for the Freedom Tower were bolted into position at ground zero in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006.

Dignitaries (from left) architect David Childs congratulates New York Gov. George Pataki as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, second from right, looks up and architect Daniel Liebskind watches, far right, after

In this file photo of Friday, June 20, 2008, construction cranes work above the Freedom Tower foundations at the World Trade Center site in New York.

In this file photo of Friday, June 20, 2008, construction cranes work above the Freedom Tower foundations at the World Trade Center site in New York.

Photo: Mark Lennihan, AP

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Construction cranes work above the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in New York.

Construction cranes work above the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, in New York.

Photo: Mark Lennihan, AP

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An image of the Freedom Tower on the helmet of construction worker Bob Bozza at the site of the Freedom Tower, New York City, Aug. 11, 2011.

An image of the Freedom Tower on the helmet of construction worker Bob Bozza at the site of the Freedom Tower, New York City, Aug. 11, 2011.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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A man takes a photo of the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

A man takes a photo of the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (from left), New York Gov. George Pataki and New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, right, follow the color guard to begin an unveiling ceremony for the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center site in New York, July 4, 2004. The cornerstone, with its small inscription of the words, "to honor and remember those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and as a tribute to the enduring spirit of freedom," will be buried beneath the new tower.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (from left), New York Gov. George Pataki and New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, right, follow the color guard to begin an unveiling ceremony for the cornerstone of the

As seen from St. Paul's Church, the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

As seen from St. Paul's Church, the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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Cranes rise out of the Freedom Tower construction site a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011.

Cranes rise out of the Freedom Tower construction site a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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A "never Forget" sign attached to the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

A "never Forget" sign attached to the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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Construction at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza near the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Construction at the 9/11 Memorial Plaza near the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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Stickers on the wall of a hoist inside the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Stickers on the wall of a hoist inside the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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Looking east from the 39th floor of the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Looking east from the 39th floor of the Freedom Tower, also known as One World Trade Center, New York City, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, under construction a month before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Photo: Bob Luckey

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Stamford resident Dionne Layne, facing camera, hugs Mary Power as they react to the news of the death of Osama bin Laden in New York Monday. At left is 1 World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower, which is under construction.

Stamford resident Dionne Layne, facing camera, hugs Mary Power as they react to the news of the death of Osama bin Laden in New York Monday. At left is 1 World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower,

This March 15, 2011 photo shows the Freedom Tower, right, rising above the World Trade Center site in New York. Rebirth has been slow in coming to ground zero, but with six months remaining until the first portions of the national 9/11 memorial are scheduled to open to the public, the work to turn a mountain of rubble into one of the worldis great urban centers is thundering forward and beginning to produce some of the inspiring monuments designers envisioned nearly a decade ago. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

This March 15, 2011 photo shows the Freedom Tower, right, rising above the World Trade Center site in New York. Rebirth has been slow in coming to ground zero, but with six months remaining until the first

This March 15, 2011 photo shows construction cranes working above the 58th floor of the Freedom Tower, right, in New York.

This March 15, 2011 photo shows construction cranes working above the 58th floor of the Freedom Tower, right, in New York.

Photo: Mark Lennihan

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In this Aug. 2, 2011 photo, One World Trade Center towers over lower Manhattan in New York. The Freedom Tower will rise to 1,776 feet when completed.

In this Aug. 2, 2011 photo, One World Trade Center towers over lower Manhattan in New York. The Freedom Tower will rise to 1,776 feet when completed.

Photo: AP

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This March 11, 2011 photo shows the Freedom Tower rising above the World Trade Center site and the square outlines of the 9/11 Memorial in New York.

This March 11, 2011 photo shows the Freedom Tower rising above the World Trade Center site and the square outlines of the 9/11 Memorial in New York.

Photo: Mark Lennihan

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In this computer generated rendering released by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Wednesday, June 29, 2005, the redesigned Freedom Tower by architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP rises above the lower Manhattan skyline. Rendering created by dbox.

The proposed Freedom Tower is seen from the south, with the Statue of Liberty at left, in this artist's architectural illustration by the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, released by the Lower Manhattan Development Corp., in New York, Friday Dec. 19, 2003.

The proposed Freedom Tower is seen from the south, with the Statue of Liberty at left, in this artist's architectural illustration by the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, released by the

When the landmark is complete, which is not expected for another year or two, it will max out at 102 floors, capped off by a 300-foot antenna that will make the Freedom Tower soar to a symbolic 1,776 feet.

"I'd go up there," said Brian Tighe, 47, a sales manager from San Jose, Calif. "It's amazing to see the progress."

Tighe marveled at the gleaming structure with his son, Sean, 15, and daughter, Kiera, 12, from Vesey Street.

"It's kind of a sign of strength to me," Tighe said. "We get knocked down, but you get back up."

But don't call it the Freedom Tower, as a tour guide from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey reminded several times during a visit to the site Thursday.

The Port Authority, the building's developer and owner of the land at ground zero, is a stickler for 1 World Trade Center.

A 10-minute ascent -- for lack of a better word -- from the street level leads to the building's open-air 70th floor.

There are no elevators, at least not the kind most people are used to.

No, there's what's known as "the hoist," a cage-like lift plastered with bumper stickers from faraway places like Key West, Fla., complete with a boom box playing Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie."

"The key is don't look outside and don't look down," Frank Crecco, 58, a plumber from Long Island, advises before the harrowing ride.

One ride on the local and one ride on the express version of the hoist, which has a weight limit of 7,700 pounds, transports construction workers to vertigo-inducing heights.

Mesh netting and metal cables are the only safety barriers up here, where welders are using a blowtorch to lock a latticework of beams into place. The building's core is a skeleton-like tangle of metal reinforcement bars, or rebar in construction speak.

Veteran skywalkers aren't the least bit fazed by the death-defying height or the gaping hole in the mesh, which affords a jaw-dropping view of the Empire State Building.

"It gets to a point where it doesn't matter," said Mike Kossuth, 50, a steel surveyor.

Kossuth previously worked on the New York Times Building in Midtown and the Goldman Sachs Tower just across the river from ground zero in Jersey City, N.J., or across the "street" as he put it.

Back on terra firma, men in hard hats, their skin ruddy from the sun, matter-of-factly watch the building grow before their very eyes. They collect their paychecks from a foreman. One eats spaghetti out of a Tupperware container.

Crecco puffs on a cigarette, calling the $3.1 billion project a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"There's a lot more pride in it," Crecco said.

In the shadow of the Freedom Tower is the National Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum, where work on the plaza is progressing at break-neck speed with one month until the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

"I found that the scale is much larger than I envisioned," Mary Fetchet, a New Canaan resident who lost her son, Brad, in the attacks said in a telephone interview.

Fetchet is a founding director of the advocacy group Voices of Sept. 11.

"We really advocated for the place where the towers stood to be memorialized," Fetchet said.

A total of 152 people with Connecticut ties died in the attacks.

Family members of the victims will get priority access to the memorial, which consists of two reflecting pools on the footprints of the old towers, on the anniversary.

Metal plates with the victims' names were recently installed on each side of the two massive reflecting pools, which will be fed with water by a pair of fountains.

Fetchet said just under half of those who lost loved ones at the World Trade Center did not receive any remains.

"It's certainly even that much more significant for them because they don't have a gravesite," Fetchet said.

From a park bench in St. Paul's Chapel cemetery on Trinity Place, which is directly across from the Sept. 11 Memorial and Freedom Tower, Jim and Jane Mulholland witnessed the site's ongoing transformation Thursday. The couple was visiting from Houston.

"I think we have to say to the world, 'We operated here before and we operated after,' " Jim Mulholland said.

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